Kitwe Council begins disinfection of public places amid cholera threat

Kitwe City Council (KCC) has initiated a disinfection exercise in public places, including the Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) passenger freight train, following the detection of cholera cases in some parts of the country.

KCC Public Relations Manager, Mwaka Nakweti, said in a statement on Saturday that the measure was aimed at enhancing hygiene in public transport and reducing the risk of transmission, especially in high-contact areas where infections spread easily.

“The disinfection process will be extended to passenger coaches, handrails, seating areas, door handles, and all other high-touch surfaces,” Nakweti said.

She added that plans were underway to extend the exercise to intercity buses operating within Kitwe.

As part of the enhanced surveillance measures, the council will also begin collecting passenger manifests from public transport operators.

This, Nakweti said, will help health authorities trace, monitor, and provide timely treatment to travellers who may be exposed to cholera.

Nakweti emphasized that passenger tracking is an important tool in preventing large-scale outbreaks and ensuring swift public health responses.

The ongoing exercise forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen cholera preparedness and improve community protection.

She noted that regular disinfection of public transport fleets remained critical in breaking chains of transmission and limiting the risk of imported or exported cases across districts.

The Council has urged all public transport operators—both road and rail—to maintain strict hygiene standards and ensure their fleets are regularly disinfected.

“The Council will continue working closely with stakeholders, transport service providers, and the community to keep Kitwe safe and curb the spread of cholera,” Nakweti said.

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